RAW by Mosto: A Peruvian Pop-Up!

Ever since the dream pop-up dinner once upon a time called Nikkei (a collab dinner between Mosto & Hatsune), I’ve never let go of that vibrant and colorful tiradito bursting with flavors, a dish that’s a mix between Japanese sashimi and Peruvian ceviche which has come to define a signature style of Peruvian cuisine combining raw produce with fresh Peruvian produce.

Mosto’s New Head Chef Juan Mateus from Bogota, Colombia will Tantalize Your Senses

A magical place decked out in candles and twinkling lights, Mosto is one of my top picks for a warm and cozy winter treat. And with the welcome new addition of a passionate head chef Juan Mateus (photo above) from Bogota, Colombia in their kitchen, foodies all over Beijing will be snatching up every last seat in a heartbeat.

If I do say so myself, Mosto is a spectacular spot for the BJ FOoDiEs team to have secured for one of their last monthly dinners of 2015! *Save the date: Sunday, November 29th!

Moka Bros Opens its 3rd Location in the CBD

CBD denizens rejoice!

After just recently celebrated their two year anniversary with a whole lot of tattoos, Moka Bros has just opened up a new store in The Place Shopping Mall, officially since last Wednesday, the 28th of October. Located just opposite Central Park on the Eastern most side of The Place, it is in a prime position for those of you in Guomao looking for healthy lunch and dinner options.

“We’re excited to join this area of families, offices and embassies, and offer something healthy for the citizens of the CBD. In an area where it’s so common to see suited up men and women running between meetings or picking up kids it’s important to remember to take a breather and refuel your body with superfoods and goodness.” – Chef Daniel Urdaneta

Summer “Dive In” Pool Party by M5

There are a whole lot of M’s where this pool party is concerned when you combine the entire Modo/Mosto/Moka Bros family together with the mighty fine Migas Bar + Restaurant clan.

Bringing together the talents of Chef Daniel Urdaneta and Chef Aitor Olabegoya, both have put their creative brains to work in putting together Beijing’s most kick-ass summer BBQ menus complete with Wagyu beef burgers, giant pans of paella, oysters, the whole nine yards!

More than just a handful of the coolest, trend-setting restaurants in Sanlitun (which pretty much elevates their status to the top tier of the best of the best in Beijing), this is bringing together some of the most hospitable and generous hosts imaginable in a drop-dead gorgeous setting complete with a pool, BBQ, dance-worthy beats and free-flow booze.

Magical NIKKEI Pop-Up Dinner by Chef Daniel Urdaneta + Alan Wong

I had to pinch myself to check whether I was dreaming or if it was real.

Like a fairytale dream come true, NIKKEI emerged out of the thundering clouds early Wednesday evening and exceeded all expectations for a truly extraordinary pop-up dining experience. Not only were we blessed with absolutely the best weather known to Beijing, the two talented teams behind Mosto and Hatsune created something spectacular behind those linen curtains. As guests arrived on the 4th floor rooftop of Nali Patio, they knew they were a part of something special, feeling like they just walked into Beijing’s best kept secret.

Alan (L) & Daniel (R) Team Up for NIKKEI Pop-Up Dinner

In case you didn’t already know, NIKKEI is a pop-up culinary event concept between Chef Daniel Urdaneta (of Mosto fame) and Alan Wong (Hatsune restaurant group) combining Peruvian and Japanese cuisine. This may sound like a random, crazy combination but actually Nikkei is nothing new.

While Nikkei is a food trend taking London, Paris, Lima, Barcelona and Miami by storm, this is a cooking style that’s come to define Peruvian cuisine. While ceviche is Peru’s national dish, Peruvians didn’t actually use raw seafood as an ingredient in their cuisine until the Japanese diaspora migrated to South America and used their own cooking techniques to transform local dishes.

I think this Munchies article titled “Nikkei Is the Beautiful Love Child of Peru and Japan” explains it best –